Kinnickinnic River
river in Wisconsin
Short, spring-fed sections around River Falls produce aggressive wild trout on dries and nymphs; easy public access and restoration projects make it a top southeast Wisconsin trout stream.
What's working on Kinnickinnic River
- 01Mahogany Duns and Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching, offering excellent dry fly opportunities.
- 02Ideal cold, clear water conditions are present, with stable flows expected at seasonal average.
- 03Focus on spring-fed sections, deeper runs, slower pockets, and undercut banks for holding trout.
- 04Utilize a two-pronged approach: delicate dry fly presentations to rising fish and weighted nymphs/egg patterns for subsurface feeding.
- 05Expect trout to be looking up for dries on overcast afternoons and feeding actively on nymphs below the surface.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blood Dot Egg
Essential for fall egg season, attracting trout feeding below any spawning activity.
Buy at AmazonMahogany Dun
Matches the expected Mahogany Dun hatch, bringing trout to the surface during fall.
Buy at AmazonTravis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
Crucial for targeting trout keying on vulnerable Blue-Winged Olive emergers in the surface film during fall hatches.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Matches the Pale Morning Dun hatches actively occurring in fall, providing a consistent food source for opportunistic trout.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Effective for selective trout feeding on adult Blue-Winged Olives during fall hatches, especially on overcast days.
Flashback Pheasant Tail
A versatile year-round nymph that effectively mimics various aquatic insects active in the currents during fall.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable year-round streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, particularly as water temperatures cool in fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
County Road H Access
Downstream public access often fished for pocket-water trout and holding runs.
Kinnickinnic River Park
Park access with long public banks and productive pocket-water upstream of the downtown reach.
River Falls - Main Street
Downtown reach with popular wading, sight-fishing, and convenient public access near the Main Street bridge.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Lund's Fly Shop
Lund's Fly Shop
Mend Provisions Fly Shop
Mend Provisions Fly Shop
Get Kinnickinnic River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Wisconsin season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Quick answers
Common questions about Kinnickinnic River.
What flies work best on Kinnickinnic River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Kinnickinnic River right now are Blood Dot Egg (80% confidence), Hendrickson Nymph (80% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Kinnickinnic River?
Kinnickinnic River holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Kinnickinnic River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Kinnickinnic River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.